Home » Health News » Should You Go Tampon-Free During Your Next Period?
Should You Go Tampon-Free During Your Next Period?
Most of us use a tampon (or a pad, menstrual cup, or period panties) whenever our period rolls around. But if you’ve heard more about free bleeding—aka using nothing during your period— you probably have some questions.
While free bleeding is pretty much exactly what it sounds like, the details of it are still a little hazy to anyone who hasn’t tried it out. Here’s what you should know about free bleeding.
What is free bleeding?
Free bleeding is when you don’t do anything to block or collect your period blood. As a result, things can get messy (I’m talking a few underwear or wardrobe changes throughout the day).
There are, of course, period panties (like Thinx) and period-proof running shorts, which may help you ease into free bleeding. But if you’re going to free bleed for real, the idea is to go period product-free…completely.
Of course, free bleeding isn’t exactly a new thing. In fact, menstrual blood was thought of as ~magical~ in ancient times, explains Jennifer Wider, M.D, author of The Savvy Woman Patient. Wider says it wasn’t until the late 19th century that issues of cleanliness were brought up and sanitary belts and tampons were later invented.
More recently, Drummer Kiran Gandhi ran the 2015 London Marathon while free bleeding. “I ran with blood dripping down my legs for sisters who don’t have access to tampons and sisters who, despite cramping and pain, hide it away and pretend like it doesn’t exist,” she said in post on her personal blog, explaining why she did it.
Kiran’s not alone. Other women choose to free bleed to bring awareness to those without access to feminine hygiene products, while others do it to shed the stigma attached to period blood (and having a period at all). Still others may just feel more comfortable going without tampons and pads. Regardless of the reason, free bleeding is an incredibly personal choice.
YOU DON’T HAVE TO LOVE YOUR PERIOD! Sometimes people come up to us and tell us they theoretically like what we’re doing, but they just don’t love having their period. And then we break into a musical sequence like on @cw_crazyxgf and sing: YOU DON’T HAVE TO LOVE YOUR PERIOD. YOU DON’T EVEN HAVE TO LIKE IT! ° ° For everyone that doesn’t know: periods suck. Not for everyone, obviously. And of course, they’re a sign your body is healthy and ready to literally create life. But honestly, for most us, they fucking suck. ° ° There is the obvious inconvenience of bleeding. The unspeakable pain all over your body (stomach, back, head, boobs you name it). And don’t forget the minor thing of feeling like shit. But you know what makes it even worse?! Not having access to restrooms, no money to buy tampons or pads, having to act like you’re fine because people will shame you for talking about your period. Paying luxury tax on sanitary products, not knowing what products are made of, what chemicals and fabrics you literally insert into your body. Not having a proper education about your own body and the phases it goes through… (The list goes on) So we’re not about loving your period, but we’re about taking the stigma away, about making menstruation suck a little less. We’re here to spark a conversation about Menstrual Health!
A post shared by Crafts and Cramps Embroidery (@craftsandcramps) on
Are there any health benefits to free bleeding?
Well, when you subtract tampons from the equation, you significantly reduce your risk of developing toxic shock syndrome (TSS), a life-threatening complication you can get when you leave a tampon in for too long, says Wider. (Tip: Tampons should only be left in for eight hours, max). But you can also slash that risk by using pads.
Ultimately, there haven’t been any proven health benefits to free bleeding (though it may be more comfortable for women, versus wearing a tampon, pad, or menstrual cup—some even say it feels, well, freeing. “Women who free bleed often describe it as liberating and feel that it is nothing they need to hide or feel ashamed of,” says Wider. “It’s really a personal choice.”
